Adjustable table and back rest



W. Y. ABRESCH ADJUSTBLE TABLE AND BACK REST June 10, 1941.

Filed July 24, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l //////////////////////////////////////////////////////f/A//f// June 10, 1941. w.Y. ABREscH 2,245,120'

ADJUSTABLE TABLE AND BACK REST l Filed July 24, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Wf//am/)Cresc/v,

June l0, 1941.

W. Y. ABRESCH ADJUSTABLE TABLE AND BACK REST Filed July 24, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet v3 /W/'am/ Yjrels c/o,

June 10, 1941.

W. Y. ABRESCH ADJUSTABLE TABLE AND BACK REST Filed July 24, 1,939

5 sheets-smet 4 June 10, 1941 w. YQ ABREscH ADJUSTABLETABLE AND BACK REST Filed July 24, 1939y 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gimme-mfom W/V//m/ Kjresc/w,

Patented June 1 0, 1941 UNITED sTATEs VPATENT OFFICE :,uaizo ADJUSTABLE 'rms AND nscx nasr wuum y. Atmen, Gastonia. N. o.

immuun .my u, me, serial No. zsazoz s claims. (cl. :i1-gv) This invention relates to an attachment for invalid bedsteads in the nature of an adjustable table and back rest.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above kind wherein the table is so mounted that the patient may readily swing the same down into position for use', wherein means is provided to automatically latch the table in this operative position, and wherein the patient occupying the bedstead may readily re- ,lease the latch for permitting the table to automatically swing upwardly to an inoperative outof-the-way position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for retarding the upward movement of the table as it approaches its upward limit of movement, and to provide for lowering of the table to operative position with the expenditure of little strength.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide swinging arms which carry the table and which are composed of sections adiustably jointed together so that they may be swung into different positions of angular adjustment relative to eachother for positioning the table to best suit each individual need.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a back rest of novel construction for y supporting the patient in a sitting position while occupying the bedstead, said back rest being constructed to aord maximum comfort to the user and being provided with' novel means for securing a pillow in position against the front of the back rest without danger of the pillow settling down and becoming uncomfortably hunched at the bottom of the back rest. The present invention further contemplates the provision of a device of the above kind which is so constructed as to be readily manufactured and installed, and so constituted as to insure eflicient operation and otherwise meet with the requirements for a successful commercial use.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description whenv considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l`is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, showing an attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention and applied to an invalid bedstead, the table being in its lowered operative position.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the same with the table inverted.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the table in top plan and having certain attachments applied thereto useful in aiding the patient to shave while in bed.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 8-0 of Figure 3 to show details of the back rest.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken online 'l--l of Figure 3 to illustrate details of the attaching and mounting means for the swinging arms which carry the table.

Figure 8. is a perspective view of one of the supporting brackets which receive the ends of the horizontal supporting bar on which are hinged the arms which carry the table. A

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the bearings carried by the arms which support the table; this view and Figure 8 illustrate the means for limiting the swinging movement of the tablecarrying arms.

Figure l0 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the form of adjustable hinge floint provided between the sections of the swinging table-carrying arms and between such arms and the table, the plane of section *being indicated -by line Ill-I0 in Figure 3.

Figure 11 is an inner face view of one of the flanged members forming part of the adjustable hinge joint shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a similar view of the other flange member of said joint, Figure 1l being taken on line i i-I i of Figure l0 and Figure 12 being taken on the same plane but looking in the opposite direction; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary front elevation, partly broken away, showing the back rest suspended by straps from the top of the head member of the bedstead.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the invalid bedstead has been shown as including the usual head mem-ber composed of an inverted U-shaped frame 5 whose intermediate portion forms an upper horizontal bar 5a, and whose side portions are connected by a panel composed'of upper and lower horizontal rods 6 and 'l connected at intervals by uniformly spaced vertical rods 8.

The present attachment includes mounting means embodying a pair of spaced vertical attaching bars 9 firmly secured near their lower kends to the upper rod 6 of the panel of the head member of the bedstead, by means of clips l0 -bolted to the bars 9 as shown clearly in Figure 1.

two sections bolted together and formed to receive and be bolted rigidly to the upper horizontal member la of the frame of the bedstead as is also shown in Figure 1. This is preferably accomshown in Figure 8 having tubular transverse members |2 on the forward ends thereof which receive the ends of a transverse rod Il whose terminals are threaded and receive nuts Il whereby the rod is retained in place. In this way, the attaching bars 2 are eifectively connected and braced.

A pair of swinging arms l2 are pivoted near their rear or upper ends upon the rod M at the inner sides oi the brackets |2, and said arms |2 are provided with bearing brackets I1 of the form shown in Figure 9, through which the pivot rod M extends. The brackets I2 have arcuate lugs I2 at the inner sides thereof cooperating with similar lugs I2 on the outer sides of the bearing brackets for limiting the swinging movement of the arms I2 to the full line position of Figure 1 or the dotted line pomtion thereof in this figure.

As s hown clearly in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the swinging arms I2 are composed of a plurality of sections adjustably jointed together by means of adjustable hinge joints 22, and pivoted between the forward or lower ends of the arms l2v by means of similar adjustable hinge joints 22 is a table member 2|. These hinge joints permit the arm sections to be readily angularly adjusted relative to each other to insure positioning of the table 2| to best suit any individual need, and permit tilting of the table 2| at any desired inclination to suit various requirements in use.`

.jecting outer end portion of a bolt 22 freely passing through the member 22 and threaded into the member 22a.V A suitable cover or cap 21 may be applied to the member 22 to cover the projecting end of bolt 22 and the spring 2l. By simply forcibly swinging one arm section relative to another, the outermost section will yield -outwardly and permit the projections 22a to pass out of and then into recesses 24, automatically securing the arm sections in the angular position to which they have been adjusted. The same action takes place when the 'table 2| is forcibly swung to the desired horizontal or tilted position, as is generally well known in connection with this type of adjustable hinge joint. As shown,

the table 2| is preferably in the form of a shallow 7 Y tray.

The rearwardly projecting ends of'arms I2 are connected by a transverse rod 22, and suspended by means of hooks 22 and rods 22 from the connecting rod 22 is a weight 2| which normally acts to swing the arms I2 and table 2| upwardly to an out-of-the-way position as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1. Attached to the lower panel rod 1 are pulleys or other suitable guides 22 which guide the suspension rods 22 in their vertical movement at the back of the head member of the bedstead. Ordinarily, after the arms i2 pass upwardly beyond a horizontal position, the weight 2| would act to accelerate the upward movement of said arms I4 and bring about an objectionable and noisy operation. Accordingly, normally inactive helical tension springs 22 are provided to retard the upward movement of the arms I2 as theyv approach their upward limit of movement. As shown, these springs are connected at their lower ends to the weight 2| and at their upper ends to the lower horizontal panel rod 1 of the head member of the bedstead. These springs 22 are so positioned that they do not begin to be placed under tension until after the weight 2| has lowered partially and the arms l2 have passed upwardly beyond their horizontal position. Upon further lowering of the weight 2| and further upward movement'of the arms i2 under the influence of said weight, the springs 22 are placed under increasing tension so as to countcrbalance the weight 2| and thereby insure slow quiet movement of the arms I2 to their final upward limit of movement. Obviously, this tension of the springs 22 will facilitate easy lowering of the arms I2 by initially offsetting much of the weight imposed by the weight member 2|. Thus. the arms I2 may be swung downwardly to position the table 2| as shown by full lines in Figure 1, with the expenditure of little effort. To facilitaie this downward swinging 0f arms I2 and the table 2| carried thereby, a pull cord 24' may be attached to one of the arms I2 within convenient reach of the invalid occupying the bedstead. The upward movement of the arms i2 may be further retarded by means of check members in the form of spring clips 24 attached to and projecting forwardly from the upper ends of the attaching bars 2 in the path of the arms |2 so that the latter will pass between the jaws of the clips 2l as said arms approach their upward limit of movement. 'Ihe spring tension of the clips 2l is such that their jaws will impose friction on opposite sides of the arms i2 so as to give this retardingaction.

Means is provided for latching the arms I2 in their downwardly swung position so as to retain the table 2| in position for use. 'Ibis latching means may consist of a spring projected latch bolt 2l suitably mounted on one of the attachingbarslasshowninFigureZandarranged tc pass under the adjacent rearwardly projecting upper end of the adjacent arm Il when said arms i2 have been swung dcwnwardly to their downward limit of movement as shown by full lines in Figure 1. 'I'he latchv `bolt 22 may have suitable operating means including a depending pull cord 22 within convenient reach of the occupant of the bed. By pulling on the cord 22, the latch bolt 2l may be released so lthat thev weight 2| will operate to swing the arms I2 and table 2| to the upward out-of-the-w'ay position. The engaging end of the latch bolt 22 is suitably beveled so that this -latch bolt will not interfere with manual lowering of the arms I2 due to ready passage of the proiecting upper end of the adjacent arm I8 by said latch bolt.

It will be apparent that a beds'tead equipped with the present' device must be maintained in adapted to contact the wall of the room without marring the finish thereof. It might here be noted that the operation of the latch bolt I! will be more clearly apparent when considering Figure 'I in connection with Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.

As' before stated; the table 2| may be in the nature of a shallow tray which may be arranged as shown in Figure 1 with the rim thereof depending, or as shown in Figure 2 with the rim thereof projecting upwardly. When the table is in the first-mentioned position, it may be tilted at an inclination as shown in Figure 5 for use in connection with certain article supporting attachments as shown in Figures 4 and 5, whereby the patient may conveniently shave, wash, etc. The attachments in question include a 4supporting plate l having an angular wire clip 4l pivoted to one end thereof for engagement over the upper edge of the table 2|, and an angular pivoted support 4| at the other end thereof adapted to rest upon the table 2| so as to support the plate Il in a horizontal position when the table 2| is closer together at this curved portion 41 so that less yielding will be allowed as is necessary for best results. 'Ihe back rest is adapted to be disposed with its lower end resting upon the mattress and with its upper end supported in a suitable manner to position the back rest at the desired inclination in back of the table 2| and be-` tween the arms I6. As shown in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 7, the back rest frame may be provided at the top with` suitable hooks 4l that may be en` gaged over the pivot rod |4 so as to support the back rest in a desirable position. However, for reclining, the back rest may be supported at a more nearly horizontal position and at various inclinations by means of adjustable suspension straps 4l as shown in Figure 13. These suspentilted at an inclination, as shown. Suitable shaving articles, such as a razor, shaving brush. shaving soap and the like may then be conveniently placed on the plate Si. Another attachment consists of a mirror 42 which may be arranged .flatly on the inclined table 2| in proper position for the user to see the image of his face therein while shaving. This mirror also has an angular .clip 4I pivoted to the upper end thereof for enscribed. However, in the last described attachment. the supporting plate 29a may have an extension 44 on the outer edge thereof so that the .same will eil'ectively provide for supporting reception of a large basin of water or the like, necessary in the shaving or washing operations.

0f course, the patient occupying the bedstead .will be in a sitting position when making use of the table 2| or its attachment. Accordingly, the present invention provides for a very eiiicient -back rest whereby the invalid or occupant of the bed may be comfortably supported in this sitting position. As shown, the back rest consists of a vertically elongated open rectangularframe 45, the side members of which are connected at intervals by means of transverse or horizontal .helical tension springs 46. These springs give yieldable support to the back, and the lower portions of the side members of the frame I are curved forwardly as shown at 41 and the springs 45 are positioned to follow this curvature so as to give restful and comfortable support to the small of the back. Also, the springs 4i are arranged sion straps may be passed about the top rail of the frame 45 of the back rest and looped around the upper portion 5a of the frame of the head member of the bedstead. By adjusting the straps 49, the inclination of the back rest may be changed. To provide for this adjustment, the ends of the straps 49 may be adjustably connected by suitable buckles 50 engageable with the desired one of a series of openings or apertures Il in the other ends of the straps. The strands loi! the straps 4! may be 'placed in contiguous relation after encircling the top rail of the back rest frame, by means of suitable slides 52.

In order to give more comfortable and soft support to the user, means is provided for sustaining a pillow 53 in front of the back rest and against the springs 46 of the latter, so that the pillow will be retained in position extending from top to bottom of the back rest and without any danger of falling and bunching at the bottomof the back rest. For this purpose,l slotted brackets 54 are attached to and project from opposite sides of the back rest frame at the top of the latter, and a retaining rod 55 has its ends removably positioned in the slots of these brackets. In use, the open end of the case of pillow V52 is wound about the bar 56 as indicated at 56 and more clearly shown in Figure 6, whereupon the bar 55 is engaged with the brackets 54 so that the wound end of the pillow case is effectively clamped between the bar 55 and the frame of the backrest. The end of the-pillow case cannot become detached from the bar 5l when the latter is engaged in the brackets 54, and in this way the pillow is effectively suspended in place. While the back rest may be used in commotion with the table as shown in Figures 1 and 6, it may be used alone by engaging the hooks 48 with the upper panel rod 8, or by suspending the back rest through the use of straps 49 as shown in Figure 13.

In operation, assuming that the table is lowered as shown by full lines in Figure l, and that said table is no longer required for use, the patient may pull on the cord 38 so as to release the latch bolt 35 and permit the weight 3| to swing the arms Ii upwardly to the dotted line position of Figure 1 and thereby move the table and arms f6 to an out-of-the-way position. Inias to retard the upward movement of said arms Ii. This is immediately followed by engagement of the arms Ivi with the check clips 24, whereby the arms I6 are slowly and quietly brought to a stop in a position wherein the lugs Il and il are engaged. When use of the table is again required, the patient simply exerts a downward pull on the cord Il'. 'I'he springs then assist in elevation of the weight 3| so that the arms Il and table 2| will be lowered without the expenditure of a great amount of eiiort. When the arms I6 have lowered to a point wherein the opposite edges oi lugs I9 engage the opposite edges of lugs Il, the latch bolt 3l will have snapped beneath the rearwardly projecting upper end of an arm I6 s'o as to retain the arms in the downwardly swung position of Figure 1 wherein the table 2| is properly located for use. The table will remain in this position as long as the latch lbolt is in its engaged position. It will of course be apparent that the elevation of the table 2| as well as its inclination may be regulated to suit requirements after the arms I6 have been fully lowered by tilting the table or by angularly adjusting the sections of the arms I'S relative to each other.

Should the back rest not be required, such as when the patient desires to assume a position ilatly lying on the bed, said back rest may be readily ldetached and removed either by removing the straps M or disengaging the hooks li from the rod I4. The bar 55 may then be disengaged from the brackets M of the back rest so as to permit detachment of the pillow $3 from the back rest for ordinary use upon the bed.

While I have shown and described a very practical and preferred form of the present invention, it will be understood that the structural details may be varied Without departing from the spirit and scope o! the invention as claimed.

What;- I claim as new is:

1. A bedstead attachment of the character described comprising a pair of spaced vertically swinging arms pivotally mounted near corresponding ends upon the head member oi' the bedstead near the top of the latter, weight means for normally swinging the arms upwardly to an out-oi'the-way position, manually releasable means for latching the arms in downwardly swung position, and a table arranged between and carried by the other ends of said arms. y

2. A bedstead attachment of the character described comprising a pair of spaced vertically swinging arms pivotally .mounted near corresponding ends upon the head member of the bedstead near the top of the latter, weight means for normally swinging the arms upwardly to an out-of-the-way position, manually releasable means for latching the arms in downwardly swung position, a table arranged between and carried by the other ends oi said arms, and yieldable means to partially counteract the action of the weight and retard the upward movement of the arms as they approach their upward limit of movement.

3. A bedstead attachment of the character described comprising a pair of spaced vertically swinging arms pivotally mounted near corresponding ends upon the head member of the bedstead near the top of the latter, weight means for normally swinging the arms upwardly to an out-of-the-way position, manually releasable means for latching the arms in downwardly swung position, a table arranged between and carried by the other ends of said arms, an'd yieldable means to partially counteract the action of the weight and retard the upward movement oi' the arms as they approach their upward limit of movement, said last-named means comprising helical tension springs acting to partially counterbalance the weight means and permit lowering of the arms with the expenditure ci little effort.

4. An attachment for bedsteads comprising mounting means adapted to be secured to the head member of the bedstead at the top of the latter, a pair of spaced vertically swinging arms pivoted on said mounting means near corresponding ends, vertically movable rods arranged rearwardly of said head member and connected at their upper ends t said ends of the arms, a weight carried by the lower ends of said rods and acting to normally elevate the arms to an out-of-the-way position, a table arranged between and carried by the other ends of said arms, and means engageable with the first-mentioned end of one of said arms for latching said arms in downwardly swung position against the action of said weight.

5. An attachment for bedsteads comprising mounting means adapted to be secured to the head member of the bedstead at the top of the latter, a pair of spaced vertically swinging arms pivoted on said mounting means near corresponding ends, vertically movable rods arranged rearwardly of said head member and connected at their upper ends to said ends of the arms, a weight carried by the lower ends of said rods and acting to normally elevate the arms to an out-of-the-way position, a table arranged between and carried by the other ends of said arms, means engageable with the first-mentioned end of one of said arms for latching said arms in downwardly swung position againstL the action oi' said weight, and helical tension springs connected to the weight and to the head member for opposing the lowering of the weight and retarding the upward movement of the arms as the latter approach their upward limit of movement.

6. An attachment for bedsteads comprising mounting means adapted to be secured to the head member of the bedstead at the top oi the latter, a pair of spaced vertically swinging arms pivoted on said mounting means near corresponding ends, vertically movable rods arranged rearwardly of said head member and connected at their upper ends to said ends oi' the arms, a weight carried by the lower ends of said rods and acting to normally elevate the arms to an out-of-the-way position, a table arranged between and carried by the other ends of said arms, means engageable with the first-mentioned end of one of said arms for latching said arms in downwardly swung position against the action of said weight, helical tension springs connected to the weight and to the head member for opposing the lowering of the weight and retarding the upward movement oi' the arms as the latter approach their upward limit of movement, and further check devices carried by the mounting means and engageable by the arms for further retarding the upward movement oi the latter as they complete theiriupward movement.

7. An attachment for bedsteads comprising a pair of spaced vertical attaching bars engageable with horizontal members at the top of the head member of the bedstead, a pivot rod connecting said attaching bars, vertically swinging spaced arms pivotally mounted near corresponding ends upon said pivot rod and projecting rearwardly beyond the latter, means i'or limiting the upward and downward swinging movement of said arms, vertically movable rods arranged rearwardly oi the head member of the bedstead and connected at their upper ends to the rearwardly projectfor normally swinging the arms upwardly to an out-of-the-way position, manually releasable means for latching the arms in downwardly swung position, a table arranged between and carried by the other ends of said arms, said arms comprising a. plurality of sections adjustably jointed together for angular adjustment relative to each other, and said table being pivotally carried by the arms by adjust-able hinged joints whereby the table may be adjustably tilted about a transverse horizontal axis.

WILLIQM Y. ABRESCH. 

